The Ball State Daily News wrote a wonderful article about our very own Southside Neighborhood Association President, Courtney Marsh. You can check out the full article online HERE.
Neighborhoods in the News – Southside!
Welcome to the new class of 2025 CenterPoint Scholars!
Kiwani Pine, Rachael Robertson, Isabel Heimlich, Joseph Scholl III, Eliana Heimlich, Sam Atlas McCollum (Jasmine Taylor not in photo)
Photo by Shantanu Suman
Welcoming the Second Cohort of CenterPoint Scholars
Since 2010, Muncie Action Plan (MAP) has been supporting neighborhood leaders through its Neighborhood Leadership Council. In October 2023, MAP expanded this commitment by launching a new initiative—thanks to a generous grant from CenterPoint Energy—to train emerging leaders in grassroots advocacy. This initiative, the CenterPoint Scholars Program, offers a year-long leadership development experience focused on building skills that directly impact Muncie’s neighborhoods.
The program began with a competitive application process in January, and the second cohort of Scholars was officially introduced at the March 2025 IDEA Conference. In April, the Scholars participated in a weekend retreat at highlighted locations in Muncie to kick off the program. This retreat laid the groundwork for a year of learning, connection, and community impact.
We are excited to welcome our second cohort of CenterPoint Scholars:
- Jasmin Taylor (BSU Neighborhood)
- Rachael Robertson (McKinley Neighborhood)
- Sam Atlas McCollum (Old West End)
- Joseph Scholl III (Thomas Park Avondale)
- Kiwani Pine (Riverside Normal City)
- Eliana Heimlich (Thomas Park Avondale)
- Isabel Heimlich (Thomas Park Avondale)
This class of CenterPoint Scholars is exploring topics like project management, conflict resolution, and trust building, all while working on neighborhood-based projects designed to create lasting, positive change. They are joining our Neighborhood Leadership Council in monthly trainings from March 2025 through March 2026, and their efforts will culminate in a final presentation led by the Scholars at the 2026 IDEA Conference. MAP is proud to support these emerging leaders and excited to see the impact of their work across our community.
For more information about the CenterPoint Scholars Program, visit muncieneighborhoods.org/centerpoint-scholars.
White River Canoe and Kayak Launch Sites
Did you know there are several new kayak and canoe launches located throughout Muncie?
There are! And several more in the works.
These launches are open to the public, so beat the heat this summer by grabbing a friend and bringing your favorite canoes and kayaks to one of these convenient spots.
Learn more about this and other cool projects aimed at championing our local waterways at the Ball Brothers Foundation Project Blueways page.
Check out more muncie neighborhood news and events:
Neighborhood Associations Matter
Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN) was created in 2014 to provide a bridge between the resources of Ball State University and the needs of Muncie’s neighborhoods. Over the last eleven years, the program has helped neighborhoods across the city develop strong neighborhood associations and that work is tracked annually using the “Spectrum of Development”. The Spectrum survey asks neighborhoods to self-report on a number of development factors like whether they have an elected Board of Directors, if they meet regularly, and how they communicate with their residents. This information allows BBN to develop trainings that match the needs of the neighborhoods to assist them in moving along the Spectrum if that is their collective wish.
Why do functioning neighborhood associations matter? Because they facilitate achieving common goals by providing a single, unified voice for the neighborhood. Associations improve quality of life by organizing and helping residents work towards preservation and improvements within the neighborhoods. And they build community by planning and holding social events that bring neighbors together.
If you would like to get involved in your area, but don’t know where to start, choose your neighborhood from this list to learn more, or contact your neighborhood leader.
Spring Cleanups
It’s time to clean! MSD is partnering with our neighborhoods this May to help clean up our streets and alleys. If your neighborhood is not hosting an event, please consider volunteering to help another neighborhood. Facebook events are linked when available.
May 3rd
Old West End – 7:45 AM | Meet at Clifton-Wallace Park
Industry – 7:45 AM | Meet in Heekin Park at corner of 9th & Penn
Thomas Park/Avondale – 7:45 AM | Meet at Thomas Park
South Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the Community Garden on 7th St.
May 10th
McKinnley – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Daycare on Columbus Ave.
Riverside/Normal City – 7:45 AM | Meet at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Whitely – 8:00 AM | Meet at the Buley Center
May 17th
Southside – 7:45 AM | Meet at Frankie D’s Flea Market
East Central – 7:45 AM | Meet at the corner of Vine and Main
Muncie’s Neighborhood Leaders Gather for 10th Annual IDEA Conference
Donna Browne, previous Co-Chair of MAP, leading a popular grants session.
Photo by Ty Morton, Tylonius Studio
The 10th annual Neighborhood IDEA Conference brought together more than 100 dedicated community members for a day of networking, workshops, and inspiration on March 8 at Ball State University’s L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, from political action and leadership development to project planning and community engagement.
One standout presentation came from the inaugural class of CenterPoint Scholars, a leadership academy designed to equip neighborhood advocates with essential skills in advocacy, conflict resolution, and project management. Napoleon Price, an academy participant, shared insights from his experience launching a free food fridge initiative to support local families.
“I got involved with CenterPoint Scholars because it offered me an opportunity to get some valuable tools as far as running a neighborhood meeting, managing conflict … essential leadership skills that I didn’t feel I had until after completing this 12-month program,” Price said.
“It felt good to present our project at the IDEA conference,” he said, adding that he hopes it makes a difference for families who visit the fridge locations (currently at The Common Market, with other locations in the works).
A highlight of the event was the annual Neighborhood Awards, recognizing outstanding efforts to enhance local neighborhoods. South Central and Whitely neighborhoods received awards for the most trash collected during their 2024 clean-up days.
Whitely also received the Neighborhood Project of the Year award for its Whitely Summer Reading Program. The program, for Longfellow Elementary School students, was designed to combat the “summer slide” and encourage literacy. The program, launched by the Whitely Education Committee, challenged students to log at least 20 minutes of daily reading throughout June and July. Participants also took part in an essay contest based on their summer reading, with winners receiving prizes such as bicycles, STEM kits, and an Oculus Quest 2. The program had more than 80 students participating, reading 500 books with more than 23,400 minutes of reading recorded.
The Neighborhood Leader of the Year award went to Courtney Marsh of the Southside Neighborhood. Since joining her neighborhood association in 2019, Marsh has played a key role in fostering community engagement and positive change.
“I was completely honored to receive [this award,]” Marsh said. “I am beyond blessed to be recognized for the many achievements in 2024, and I can’t wait to see what this next year will bring.”
Marsh emphasized the importance of community involvement, noting that neighborhood associations provide invaluable opportunities. “Being a part of a neighborhood association allows you to make great connections with not only your neighbors, but your city,” she said. “It also provides an opportunity to be a part of the change for the best.”
Networking with other neighborhood advocates is always a big hit with attendees. “My favorite part of IDEA is gathering with people who share a common goal of being a piece of Muncie’s history,” Marsh said. “Sharing resources, stories, and hopes for the future is what makes this event so special.”